Dallas Mavericks Blog

Rolando Blackman coaching Turkey

Rolando Blackman, director of basketball development for the Mavs, is working as an assistant coach with Turkey for the FIBA World Championship.

Blackman played for Turkey head coach Bogdan Tanjevic, winning an Italian title with Stefanel Milano in 1996. Blackman also has international coaching experience. He served as an assistant coach for Germany at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.

“He was a great player, he has a great personality and will help our players,” Tanjevic said. “His ideas in the field, what to do in defense and attack, are very impressive. Blackman can be very important for us.”

Blackman said his relationship with Tanjevic was key to him accepting the role.

“Turkey is really a basketball country,” Blackman said. “They have a huge opportunity to win here. It is important for the team to try to enable the players to achieve that goal.”